Combined parking meter and advertising device



*trated in the drawing.

Patented Jan. 19, 1937 jQU ITE STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED PARKING METER-AND v JADVERTISING DEVICE I Roger Babsomiwellesley, Mass. Application May 22, 1930, Serial'No. 454,676 11 Claims. (01 774311) The present invention relates toapparatus for use in connection with parkedautomobiles, etc. to measure and indicate the "lapse of time during which the automobile"has remained-in a 'parking space. It is of the same-generic character as the apparatus disclosedin my'patent granted October 15, 1929, No. 1,731,839, and my application, Serial No. 420,270, filed "January 11, 1930, now Patent No. 1,965,066, granted July *3, 1934, but includes new objects and characteristics. One of the new objects is to provide attaching means which is entirely a part of the fixed apparatus, and not a part of the equipment of the automobile or its 'operator, for making a connectionbetween the "stationary apparatus and theautomobile and for putting into action the measuring and. indicating 'parts of the apparatus. {Another isto provide means associatedwith the connector for sounding an alarm, or making an-equivalent distinctive The invention consists in such embodiment and in all substantial equivalents thereof and the'prin- .ciples embodied therein.

In the drawing,-- Y

1 is an elevation showing a parking indicator containing'this inventionand-the forepart of an automobile adjacent to and connected with it; Fig.- 2 is an elevation on a larger scale of the parking indicator in its idle conditionf Figs.'3, 4'and 5 are detail'sections of the apparatus taken on lines '3"3, 44 'and 5-5 respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the upper end of the apparatus taken on line 6-6 of Fi 5; Fig. 7 is a diagram of the electrical connections and electrically operated equipment of the apparatus; I

' Fig. 8 is-a detail sectional view of the timing meansof the apparatus.

Like reference characters' designate the same .parts wherever they occur in all the figureslf' One purpose which I have had prominently in a "automobile parked adjacent to the column; as, for 50 view is to afford a measure' of the time during which anfautomobile has'remained parked at the side of a public street; and for that purpose I have designed the herein illustrated embodiment of the invention as a post or column adapted to be erected at the border of the street, as on or just within the curb of a sidewalk, where parking is permitted by the authorities. Such column may be any'desired construction and design, and-is here shown as a boxcolumn in the interior of which the'electrical controlling equipment is 10- 5 catedand on the top of which the signal devices are mounted." I will now describe thisembodiment,'with the understanding that. it is illustrative and not a specific limitationof the inven-- tion," either as' tothe detailsof its constructior and equipment or its place of use.

The column l flsuppo'rts on its upper end a" translucent globe I I, preferably of frosted lass,

;in tire interior of which are two signal lights 12 and 13 (Fig. 6) havingdifierent color characteris- 15 tics. For the purpose of this description it'may. be assumed that these are incandescent electric 'lightsfof which the one designated 12 has a green glass bulb and. that designated"; a red one. A gong M to serve as an alarm signal is mounted at theto'p of the column beneath a cover] 5 which is arranged to protectthe gong from rain and snow and beneath which are openings to allow emission of sound waves. ]'A striker for-the gong Jisshown in Figs. 5 and6 as atwo-armed carrier l6 mountedon the'armature shaft of electric motor 11' and carrying "centrifugal weights l8 on the ends of its arms adapted to strike a projection I 8a on the insideof the rim of the gong when rapidly revolved. This is 'a well known typeof striker commonly used in' bicycle signal bells, which maybe driven otherwise, as by a spring motor under control of an electrically operated ingin the column end, when so inse'rted,to complete certain electric circuits." As here shown, the plug is like that illustrated in my'patent above 1 namedandh'as two prongs 22 and 23 which are insertable in openings 24 and 25, respectively, in the wall of the column I 0, or of a box 26 placed and 5 secured in the column and containing the after. I

, described electrical equipment, and coin controlled lockin'g'means when such is used. The chain is long enough to be passed-around some partof an instance, therimof a wheel, a bumper, an axle, etc., as illustratdin Fig. A hook 21, or equivalent holder; is mounted on the column for engagementwith the chain when thus passed around 'a part of the automobile, as shown'in Fig. 1. An-

other hook 28 is provided at a higher level'to hold the chain clear of the ground, as illustrated in-Fig. 2, when it is not so engaged with the.automobile. The hook 21 relieves the plug from an y strain when the chain is engaged with the automobile and the plug inserted in the openings pro-' vided for it, as shown in Fig. 1, although it is not essential if'the plug is locked in place after insertion.

Attention is now called to the diagram oi electrical equipment shown in Fig. '7. a and b l'epresent the leads for current from any suitable source, such as the local electric lighting system;

One lead is connected by conductor 0 with one of two electrically and mechanically separated contact members 23 and 30 adapted to .be en-* gaged and coupled electrically by the prongs 22 and 23 of plug 2|; said prongs being electrically connectedwith one another or carrying a continuous conductor adapted to engage the contact members 29 and 30.. Or'the plug may be othere wise made and adapted to move one of the contacts 29 or 30 into direct conducting contact with the other. From the contact member .30 extends'a. conductor dto the greenc signal light |2fand a' branch conductor df to the red signal light, l3. The opposite terminals of these lights are connected to switch contacts 3| and 32Lbetween which isa switch lever;33 normal ly held by a spring 34 in engagement with contact 3!,

but adapted to be shifted by an electro magnet 35 over to contact 32. Switcharm 33 is the armature of .the electro magnet and is coupled by a conductor e with the return lead of thecir- A conductor] connects the switch contact 30 with a self starting synchronously running electric motor 36 from which .a return conductor a, g goes to the return lead of the circuit. This motor drives through suitable gearing a cam 31 at 1 any desired rate of speed, for instance, through .one rotation in twelve hours.

. I The cam: controls a spring biasedswitch arm 38, holding the latter ,away from its complemental contact 39. until after the cam hasbeen moved a certain distance .from starting position, and then allowing it to close against contact 39 and complete the circuit through electro magnet 35 by means of striker of gong I. I

A driver in order to park his car legallyrnust' place it so near the post located beside the selected parking place that the chain may be passed around a wheel rim, bumper, or axle, etc., asdescribed, and must so pass the chain andinsert the plugin the opening provided therefor. Such insertion immediately closesthe circuit of the green light and of the time-motor 36, causing the former to glow and thelatter to commence running. At the end of the period during which parking freeof sp cial restrictions or penalties ispermitted, which maybe an hour or other designated time and with respect towhich the timing camis constructed and geared, such cam causes the switch 38-49 to be closed and the magnet 35 energized. The latterthenshifts its armature, the switch' lever 33, from contact 3| to contact 32, extinguishingthe green light and causing-the red light to glow. This notifies the authorities that'the car has been parked beyond the prescribed limit and enables appropriate measures to be taken.

If the motorist fails to insert the plug as required,'fthe failure of either light to be illuminated will equally show that the ,car is illegally I parked. i

It is'part of my intention to lock the plug in .;;its inserted position, either immediately upon in- "sertion, or (and preferably) at the end of the time limit when the light indication changes;

and to "provide either a coin-controlled lock release or other. means releasable only by an authorized oflicer "or attendant. Coin-controlled locking means' suitable for this purpose are shown in my prior Patent No. 1,731,839, and key controlled locking means operated by the timing mechanism in my pending application hereinbefore, identified, and are not repeated here .except that a coin slot 43 and a coin-controlled lock releasinghandlll are. shownin Fig. 2. Reference is directed to said prior. patent and said applicationfor explanation of the details of suitable locking means. Thesereferences are sufficient for the purposes of this description tornake it understood that the plug may be locked so that the motorist cannot withdraw it I after expiration of the permitted parking time without either ,depositinga coin or notifying and obtaining the assistance of an oflicer.

The alarmgong. is provided to prevent a motorist from drivingaway without satisfying the requirements. offthe, situation. 'For that purpose the coupling-20. is includedin the circuit of theelectromagnet 40 andis made-weaker than the chain orthe connection oi. the "chain with the plug or the lock by which the plug isheld. Suitably this coupling is a pin, .rod or wire or the like, secured at its ends in holders 45 and and extending across the gap betweeng-said holders 'where'it is engaged with the end link ofthe 1 chain. One of the holders, or the bracket supporting both, holders, is of metaland is connected with the conductor is, while the other holder, or a liner therein which receives the other end of the couplingisconnected with a wire 7" in the circult a, such wire being otherwise insulated from the holder. If the coupling is pulled out or broken by the car in departing from the parking place, the magnet!!! is deenergized, and allows the switch 4|, 4 2 to close the circuit of the striker -motor, which ringsthe gong. It is readily feasible to make the coupling thus weaker than the .chain, while at the same time haying strength enough to secure the chain whenused properly, by making it either of weaker metal or'ofsmaller thickness. V

I intend to use, the column as an advertising medium, and haveshown it herein as provided with panels A! on which advertising matter appears. Such panels may be transparent or translucent in part,-eithe r in the areas which form the advertising letters or symbols, orthose areas which form thebackground for such symbols, for illumination at night by lights 48 inside of the column. I

, The timing means maybe embodied in devices of variouscharacters adaptedto-serve the functions described. After disconnection'vof the car from-the metering apparatus, the timing mem- .ber,should be set back to starting position. I have dcvisedmeans for doing this automatically,

a simple form of which is shown in Fig. 8. Here the timing member is shown as a disk 49 to which I '*used for the purposes lticularly, other ty 7 asvaw h msma be 'usedJfOrQthe purp i th "being; out. 7 "than as described,.'ior place by relatively light friction; andarrangedj to the cam 31- connectedas anapron, and. with V non-meshing" position 'by a spring '53 acting through a lever" 54 arranged: substantially as shown One arm of this lever is the armature of an 'eiectro magnet 55 arranged in the circuit g; 9'; whereby .when thei connector plug;is'nin-' serted- "this magnet causes '7 the shaft and gear 5! m drop (into mesh: "A, spring "56 ,lsurrounds" shaft 50 an'd is connected-thereto and; to the housing so that His put'underincreasingtension as the timingdisk advances." 'I'hus when the disk is unmeshed from the" motor by spring 53-when the control' plug is withdrawn'frorn :therpost; the spring-automatically returns'the disk to zero or starting position.

Suitable stops of a. kind well understood and therefore: not necessary to be shown "here, may be prov-ided,.- if necessary, to

prevent the disk frombeing carried byathe spring that numerous modificationsfrom thejspecitlc embodiment here described, and substitutions or equivalents for -the"parts thereof, may: be made without departing from the invention and protection claimed. For example, the signal lights and gong maybe otherwise placed, andother; signaling means thanc -lights and a gong @may, be

of these parts. Morapar- "chain-here-dhsgribed, as a wire'cable on the like,

sufiiciently'iiexilol eto be"1used'iii the manner-indicated, and"offering substantialdifiicultyf, to The couplingio may be :-otherwise 7 ciose'a' gap inthe circuit c i 'magnet lilwhenproperly in place.

plug in' permanent connection with .theindicator v I Ylndicator,,;in cooperation-with an automobile apparatus by meansof a chain orthe like; and

without the provision for breaking the connection- "at a-specifled pointand ringingthe alarm. This nent part'of the indicator being in the possession '01: the car operator or a];

' invention departs from such proposals in numerous respects; including'the signal .means by which lapse-of time-is indicated fora purpose wholly the plug and ;the indicator the capability of using this .tie

In this case the'connector is a normallypermapart'of' the equipment of the car. 7

I am aware that meansproposed for prevention oftheft of bicycles, consiteendbya key operated lock. Butyhe' present plug is relieved V of strain when inserted,"the' alarm device which is operated whenthe chain is torn loose from its normally permanent fasten- I ing, the advertising feature, etc. 7

Instead of the plug lock releasable by a coin and without causin'g th'e for operating said signal; 7 a open electric; circuit and a connector for jlnsertion into the support adapted to be11ocked1 theretoand adapted whenso. inserted to close said :circuit,- a tie member connected to the connector,

pes of connecting means-than 1 whereby git is energized "when the circuit is completed at vsaid circuit closer 1 an b d pplica T tor "in: circuitwith 1 nector. is so applied,; means apparatus instead of have been heretofore onelend togsaid connect vide a coin controlled "means for delaying the flashing on of the red signal light. Thatyis, in some-circumstancesit may. be. permissible and esi able to permit an extended parkingtimg i consideration of a payment'jby thef carjowner,

over stay" To this end' lifhave dvised ajmeansby, which depositofa coin before,;fthe normal parking signalglight from greenlto' ,redftobeffdeiayed.

Such means is disclosed and claimed-infanother application; filed y "me on y a," 1930, Serial no.

466,421,- entitled Automatic, par ing meter, now Patent No. 1,973,215, ,granted- September 11,

l934,-jand;is thereforenot illustrated here. But I "signal; to, indicate" an a erra um, limit t Q- Sh in crane reserve the: right to use such means, and protect -itsuse, inconnection with the parking meter described in this spiecification.v f 1 "WhatI claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: T

A parking indicator comprising ,agsuppo t "having connector-locking -mearis; an electrically operated signal on the support, electrical means including a normally a normally permanent? electrically 'fconductive coupling between I V tie member, an electro magnet in circuit "with;

the ,holderfand] a .part of said said coupling and the before named circuit closer,

d'lis deenergiz ed an alarm signal, an

electrically controlled actuator; for the alarm sigi nal, and; a switch in :circ it withf'said actuator controlled; by said .magnetdobrea'k theiast named circuit 3 when the; magnet is active and gcomplete the circuit when; he magnet I is de enere .agized-l {It-is 'possible, =however, and is a partiof-irny F; contemplation and present invention: to use: the

and a" signal changing tor, a salinity triad:

device; a connectoradapted to be applied to'jsaid parked beside nector is so, applied, electrical circuits "between said circuit closer, signala; Sig al. changing device and :a source 30f adapted to :be putto ope ation when the condriven by" said motor for actuating said signal 'chan gingldeyice' after lapse of a predetermined time so asto discontinue 7 connector-locking r'neansiarid' a connector adapted to :be engaged =detachab1yf' with said structure and locked by foreign to that of thesaid proposals, the fact that id} ng m ansi a t m e up e at the-chain is engaged with a hook so thatsthe to'be passed around apart of anjadjacently parkedautomobile, together witha signal and means for actuating said'signal when the conthe indicator, circuitclosingfrneans' -arranged=to cooperate with said connector to close the after-mentioned;circuitswhen the coneiectric current, an electric rhosaid circuit closing means a stationary sup ,v i naiti isib pe i ee to" said supporting structure and being adapted hitherto" operative "signal and pot intoaction a hitherto inoperative signal, v V o =r urnin' s e a chain' attached atoneend to a fixed/ for et g 7 wall or rack'and adapted tobe passed around a wheel rimof the bicycle an'd'secured at the oppodisconnection of said last named signal and putting th eother signal piing between said tie member and supporting a structure. is broken. 1 H a 4 The combination with a 1 parking indicator comprising a stationary holder having connectorlocking means and a connector separably attachableto said holder 'inlocked engagement 1 with said locking'imean's; of a "tie member 'to-which said connector is t'attached, a normally permanent coupling between'said tiefmember andthe holder javeaker than the tie member and' adaptedto said coupling, and meansfor {causing said actu- 'ator to fbecome operative whenjthe'connectoris by breakage c: the couplingi a 5. In a parking apparatus 'and incombination witha supporting structure, a'detachabl'e con attached to the-holder and the circuit isbroken nector, 'andmea'ns" for locking said connector to the supporting structurefa relatively unbreak able tie member made fast at one end to said connector and adapted to be passedaround a .part of an 'adjacently parked automobile, a relatively' frangible coupling securing the othere'nd said circuit by application of the jconnector to iof'sa'id tie member to the supporting structure and adaptedto be broken by abnormal pull on the tiejmember, an'electriccircuit' in whichsaid frangible 'couplingis' -'a part, means for'closlng the suDDortingstructure; an electro magnet in I said circuit, an alarm signal, an electrically controlled actuator for-said signal; and a switch in the circuitof saidactuator controlled by said magnet to break the last-named circuit when-the magnet is active'and'; tocomplete the circuit when the magnet is made inactive by breakage of the Coupling;

"scribed, a plurality of electric signals,'{ an .electric motor, a detachable connector, ineansi'whereby said connector operates one of said? signals and puts 'said' motor into action,- means" driven by the motor {or subsequently discontinuingthe intofoperation and"means for disconnecting said :motor driven means from the-motor; and returnis disconnected. 7. In a parking indicator of the switchare connected with 'provisions for operating one or another-of the signals exclusively according to the position in; which the switch is 1 placed, an electro-magnetic shifter 'i'or, 'said switch, a connector, and'means operable thereby the motorfand means controlled by said, timing meansflfor"putting said electromagnetic shifter for closing a' break in such circuits, an electric motor, means whereby said connector startssaid motor, timing means in driven-connection with into operation to shift the switch from circuit closing position with respect to onesignalinto circuit "closing position with respect to adifierent signal. y

y 8. In. aparking indicator of the character described, a plurality of e lectrics'ignals, a shiftable switch; and circuits in which said'signaIs" and switch are connected with pro'visions for operatg eis r m ihf l a s ex ive porting structure.1 characterde- I scribed,"a plurality of electric signals; a shiitable I switch ,andcircuits in,which said signals and cording to the position in which the switch is placed, a connector, and means operable thereby for closing'aabreak in such circuits, an electric motor, means whereby said connector starts said motor; timing means in' driven connection with the' motor, means controlled ;by said timing means for shifting the switch from circuit closing position'with 're'specttoone signalinto circuit clo'singposition with respect to a dIfIerent signalia spring connected topsaidtiming means Y arranged toibe .put underyincreased stress by the motor driven :movement ofythe timing means,

and automatic means operated by removal of said connector for-releasing the timing means from the motor, whereby said spring becomes operative to return: the timing:means-- to startingrposition.

9; A parking indicator comprising a rigid struc ture located contiguoustoa berth in which an automobile may-:be parked, a flexible tie member connected at one point, to said structurewith a normally inseparable connection and, adapted to" be passed around a part of the contiguous parked automobile andto be connected at a second point to said structure, the means for connectingsaid tie ,memberatthe second point inbinding a connector insertable into the structure,

lapse 7 of a predetermined time,-

" 10. The combination with astatid arf 'sucporting 3 structure; having connector locking means',"-and a connector adaptedto be engaged deta'chably with said structure and locked by ture and saidconn'ector respectively at sepac rated points the connection-between. the tie "member andsupporting structure being relatively ifrangible so as, to; be; broken 5 by ,a pull exerted through the :tie; member, a signal, and means under the joint control of said frangible con nection and the beforementioned I connector,

' *forg-putting said signal into operation when the p --;'irangible connection :is' broken and the; coning'it to startingpositiom'whenthe connector nector remains in gengagement with the sup- "11; The combinatlonwith a parking indicator connector iseattached a normally permanent Y couplingbetween said tie-member and the holder, weaker than either theitie member or the con nection of the tiejmeniber with said connector orthesiockedattachment oi the connector to the holder, whereby-the couplingis frangible by abnormal strain applied, through the tie member, a signal device, 'anormally open electric V ,circuit including a shiftable. circuit closer for controlling thesignaLsaid circuit being closed by attachment-of the connector to theholder, and meansxfor shifting said circuitcloser into open circuit position when the connector is so attached andthe coupling is intact, .and for causing the circuit closer to complete the circuit when the coupling is broken. a

- R ER WVBABSON.

- s'aidlocking means, ofza'tienmember adapted to be passed arounda part of-an automobile and r I ihaving connections-with said supporting struc- '6. In'afparking"indicatorfof the characterde 

